~ A New Baby. A New Mum.

Tag Archives: parenting

Our two littles are getting bigger by the second and are most definitely in that demographic that you would call ‘digital natives’. I know there are LOTS of opinions everywhere about young ones and too much media exposure/screen time, and I agree with most of it – but I’m not going to deny that there are some really fun, interesting things you can do online with your kids – obviously with supervision, the proper parental controls and the biggie – time constraints.

We bought a pair of headphones for my son at Christmas, with the idea that if we needed it, we might be able to have a safety net for tedious car journeys, long churches services or similar. Meaning that if we needed the kids to be quiet, then we could pop their headphones on and no-one but them would be subjected to constant Peppa Pig on loop. Good idea? Methinks so.

But by Boxing Day the headphones were broken. By Adam. Of course. They were well made and a good brand but definitely not able to withstand my son’s (or any toddler’s for that matter) determined, and suprisingly strong chubby little hands. The fancy brackets and clips and wires were a shadow of thier former selves and he hadn’t even actually plugged them into the iPad at this stage!

So when Cozyphones contacted me to offer some children’s headphones to review, I must admit I didn’t think they were going to last long, going by my son’s track record. But I was completely wrong. They are most definitely one of those ‘must have’ products that parents will be glad they invested in. You can tell that it is a family run company, as the design, affordability and funcitonality could only have been dreamed up by someone who has kids. Of course, their website offers cozyphones headbands for adults, which look like they would make exercise easy (no earbuds getting sweaty and popping out) and also look like they would be really easy to wear in bed and enjoy listening to a relaxation tape or watch a movie and – wait for it – lie on your side and not get a sore ear!

When the headphones arrived the kids genuinely loved the bright, attractive designs and colours. Adam has the WhatIf Monster and Amelia chose Mystic the Unicorn (I almost wanted this one for myself, its so pretty). We’ve used them lots so far, during the designated iPad time that the kids get while I’m cooking dinner – it means I can enjoy listening to music without the sounds of Kids YouTube or Shimmer and Shine blaring in the background.

We’ve also used them at a family christening – they were an absolute hit! During the more serious and sombre moments of the church service, the kids were able to watch an episode of Thomas and Friends and didn’t make a peep, also the sound quality is good but with barely any noise pollution – we couldn’t hear what they were listening to. SO many other parents in the church wanted to know where we’d got these clever headphones.

Why are they clever?

They’re fun quirky and attractive to the kids

The speaker discs inside are moveable so you can locate them right next to your ear (no sore inner ear!)

They don’t fall off or slide back off the head

They feel soft and cosy

They’re adjustable with a 36 inc braided cord which is less likely to tangle and is also nice and strong

You can remove the electrical parts and put the fleece headband in the wash (music to any parents ears!

They work with any or all types of electronic device.

They come with a 100% money back guarantee.

Except why would you want your money back?

Cosyphones Kids Range is definitely one of the best children’s products I’ve come across in a long time and I’m definitely going to be recommending them to everyone. I’m also going to treat myself to a pair very soon and it will be top of my gift list for pretty much everyone I know for a long time to come.

**Cozyphones provided us with two headphones to review for this blog. All opinions are my own**

Quite often now, friends, colleagues and family are commenting on my weight loss. “Gosh Emma, your legs are so slim!” or “That top is too big you need to get a smaller size!” etc.

Its so lovely when people say these things, because you can tell they really mean it as it comes unprompted. In the past, when I lost a lot of weight I used to dismiss compliments that came along with the weight-loss. I’m not really sure why that was, exactly. Maybe I was embarrassed, or simply because I wasn’t sure I knew how to accept a weight-related compliment (after all, I wasn’t used to getting positive comments about my weight), or maybe it was simply because I felt I didn’t deserve them.

But I have a whole new mindset this time around. I’m in my 30s, I didn’t appreciate aspects of my looks the whole way through my teenage years and my 20s, so this time around when I’m looking better and feeling better about myself then I’ve decided I’m damned well going to enjoy the compliments and allow myself to feel good about me. Very ‘Loose Women’ of me, but you know what I mean!

I’ve been thinking of all the little positive changes that have come along with the actual weight loss – some obvious, like fitting into clothes, but some are less obvious and ones that I might not have admitted to before but there are other benefits to losing weight than just looking and feeling thinner. So to motivate anyone who is wavering with their journey, or anyone who is fed up with themselves and thinking of making a start, here is a list of things that have improved/changed for me as a result of my weight loss. I began off feeling utterly shite about myself and I know some people reading this will be feeling the same. It can change. You can change it. I’m in the middle of doing it and this is what I’m enjoying now, starting with the most obvious to the utterly ridiculous..

I’m thinner and I look better, that’s a given. Not ashamed to say it out loud anymore!

I can fit into clothes with smaller sizes that I had packed away tearfully a few years ago.

I can walk into a shop (ANY SHOP – EVEN BLOODY TOPSHOP**!) and know that I will be able to try something on and not scream with despair.

My underwear doesn’t hurt me anymore. *cringe*

I’m more interested in fashion and creating an outfit – as a result I’m taking more pride in my appearance.

I can run around after my kids and play with them in the garden and not have to sit down, out of breath and red faced.

I don’t want to instantly change into my jammies when I get in from work just so I feel comfortable.

I rarely feel bloated any more.

I feel more organised about what I’m eating (it definitely gets easier the longer you do it)

My feet have shrunk! Which is a bit of a downer with some existing shoes, but means I can fit into a 7 rather than an 8 in shops (They NEVER have an 8 when you want it)

Shopping is FUN!

When another car parks too close to yours – I don’t freak out about having to squeeze in.

I’m sleeping better and having less headaches.

I’m not too embarrassed to go for a spray tan or a wax. Yay!

I’m not going to develop diabetes!!

No more bra back strap extenders. Thank Christ.

On hot days if I dare to wear a maxi dress, I don’t have to wear shorts underneath to avoid my chubby thighs rubbing against each other. OW.

I look forward to social events and get excited about going out.

And finally – I’ve posted a full length selfie for the first time EVER!!

13lbs remaining. 14 weeks until my birthday.

Now, is that a target or what?

**Unfortunately I have realised I’m now too old to buy from Topshop…**

I have to say, apart from giving a gift to my nearest and dearest, I’m not massively insane about having an enormous Mother’s Day celebration, although those close to me will understand why this year’s Mother’s Day was a little more special than usual. Every family celebrates it in their own unique way, and my day began with lots of cuddles from my littles. They are at such a fun age at the moment, very attached to Mummy and keen to be with me all the time. Not so great when I need to go to the loo by myself, but always welcome when I first wake up, their little teeny hands crooked around my neck, each of them wanting to take their turn for a morning cuddle.

We mostly celebrated Mother’s Day on the Saturday, instead of the Sunday, and unfortunately I didn’t get the breakfast in bed of home made pancakes I dropped many, many hints about (but I can’t blame them, they’re only 4 and 2!) but we all headed downstairs for breakfast and some morning telly. After this it was off to town for a lovely lunch, after which I had an appointment courtesy of Castle Court to get a makeover at the Bare Minerals counter. I hadn’t ever tried their products before and was really impressed by them. A user of liquid foundation since my youth, they convinced me to try their mineral powder foundation – I was completely sold. It gave great coverage and was easy to apply. (That night when I went to bed, it still looked like it had just been applied – not like my usual slide-off-your-face-makeup!) The ladies at the counter also had a stash of treats and sweeties for the kids so I didn’t feel like the embarrassed Mum who had to keep her kids calm. Result.

We then browsed the shops a little, before heading to the Mother’s Day selfie booth and Mum Appreciation Team, run by the lovely models from ACA, at the back of the Mall; where I got to have a nice picture taken with the kids, a free print of it, as well as some choccies and a cute little pot plant to bring home. I was also in with the chance of winning a Mother’s Day hamper…you never know!

We had tickets booked to visit the theatre, so off we headed to the Ballyearl Courtyard Theatre to see Mr Hullabaloo’s Springtime Storybook – this was Adam’s first experience of seeing a show in the theatre and he absolutely loved it. Some might say, Emma, where was your night at the theatre? Didn’t you want to go for a massage or a facial? Well, yes of course, but the delight in my kids’ faces as they watched the colourful characters and sang along with their favourite children’s melodies – that was present enough for me.

Then it was back home for some playtime in the garden (the sun actually shone all day!) and we finished the day with our usual little bedtime routine of bath, supper and a story.

…then Mummy enjoyed some prosecco and the first Chinese takeaway she’s had in over 6 months….

I’d like to brag that I managed to persuade him all by myself and that I was the sole voice of reason, bringing him to a moment of clear-headed enlightenment, but alas – no. He kind of figured it out himself. After quitting smoking 6 years ago, the weight had begun to creep up on him so he felt it was time to make some changes.

Of course, it was double delight for me. Not only was the other adult in the house following the same plan (making it SO much easier to stay on track) but also the adult THAT IS THE BEST COOK EVER was following the plan! No more worrying about making my own separate slimming world friendly dinner, no having to check my portions of food if I had to eat what the rest of the family were having. Now that he was following the plan, it was endless amounts of syn free dinners, snacks and delights. Honestly, its been great and I realise I’m very lucky to be married to a man who not only loves to cook but is very good at it.

I’m only HALF A FECKIN’ POUND away from getting my 3 stone award and after that, there’s just one measly stone to get me to my official target. The end is really in sight and whats lovely is I’m doing it with my other half – we can achieve it together. The kids are really benfiting too as there are so many vegetables, good lean protein and fruit being consumed in our house that we’ve never eaten so healthily.

Here are just a few of our meals from the last week or so – some are lunches and some evening meals – and I will post the recipes and links up for some of them soon (once I get them from the G Man. I don’t cook as you know so haven’t a clue how he made them!)

If anyone reading this is feeling like they want to get started with a weight loss plan (any one, not necessarily slimming world) and are worried they might not be able to manage it, trust me – give it a go – you’ll be glad you did. I’ve been doing this for nearly a year and have had lots of ups and downs and could have lost this weight sooner. But what I’ve learned is that it doesn’t matter how long it takes. Just keep going. If you’ve already started a new lifestyle and nutrition plan and it is going well, but maybe you’ve had some weak moments and given in to scrummy temptations, then DON’T be so hard on yourself, you’re only human. And you’re a long time dead. It’s okay to fall off the wagon. Just make sure you get back on it – its going somewhere good.

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Last year, I didn’t have to trouble myself too much with planning a Christmas stocking for Adam because he wasn’t quite old enough to really understand or even care what Santa brought on Christmas Eve. This year, however, its a wholenew box of frogs – he is extremely vocal about Christmas in general and I know will be very excited to find his stocking hanging on the end of the bed so I’m almost as excited to get planning what is going to be inside it.

I had to think carefully as I’m starting to realise that boys are definitely harder to buy for than girls – not that presents should be gender specific, but I find that there seems to be a wider choice of little token gifts that are suitable for a ‘girl’s’ stocking, than for a ‘boys’ – so I decided to meet the challenge head on and come up with a list of items that I could include for him and I thought I’d share it here so maybe other parents could steal some ideas…so feel free.

Stocking fillers for my 2 year old boy are…

Crayons

Light up bouncy ball

Tub of bubbles

A novelty drinking straw

A novelty noise tube (not sure if they have an official name, but they make an animal noise when tipped from side to side)

Mini football and cones

Thomas and Friends pants

Blaze and the Monster Machine socks

Mickey mouse plasters

A slinky

Pez with sweets

Mandarin orange

Mini Toy torch

Bath toys

A sensitive skin-friendly bath bomb

Chocolate

Stickers

A minions flannel

Toy car

Most of these items I got in bargain shops, pound shops and discounted in bigger retail stores throughout the year so it’s worth keeping an eye out as none of these gifts are expensive, nor should they be!

So if you’re looking for a last minute item or two, hopefully this little list will help you.

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Recently, for Halloween, I decided to dress up and have a Halloween party day with my pupils. I already had a costume organised for our family Halloween events, but in typcal Emma fashion, I couldn’t just do the easy thing and use the same costume twice, oh no! I had to come up with a totally separate costume just to test if I could make life even more difficult on myself.

But I wanted to do it with as little expense as possible and also to make a costume that was quick and easy. So I decided on Mary Poppins, because I think its a costume you can go as complex or as easy as you like with. I went for simple, of course…I’m not that crazy.

So I bought a black hat online, I think it was £7, and I felt it looked just enough like Mary’s plain black hat. And it was easy to get a white shirt and black skirt – I just borrowed of some lovely friends. Black boots and an updo and I’m done. The only thing that was missing was the signature and incredibly trademark cherries and daisies that adorn Mary’s hat. Where on earth was I going to get them? Then I realised I could probably try to crochet them. And I did! Some hot glue and a glue gun later and just call me Practically Perfect in Every Way!

So here is a very quick simple pattern for some crochet cherries and daisies if you wish to follow suit and become Mary Poppins for the day:

You will need:

4mm crochet hook

scissors

tapestry needle

red, yellow and white yarn (I used acrylic dk)

black pipe cleaners

glue gun and glue sticks

toy wadding/stuffing

First up, make your cherries as they are really quick. I made 4.

Make a magic loop using the RED yarn.

6 DC in the magic loop and tighten the loop to close (6)

6 DC increases around (12)

DC around (12)

Repeat round 3 (12)

Fill the cherry with a little bit of toy stuffing before closing

6 DC decreases to close the ball (6)

Slip stitch to finishe off and weave in the ends

Then make 4 daisies. These are really fun and quick to make.

Chain 2 in YELLOW yarn.

6 DC into 2nd CH from hook, sl st into first DC (6)

1 CH, 2 DC into next 6 DC, sl st into first DC (12)

1 CH, 1 DC into into each stitch, sl st into first DC (12)

1 CH, (1 DC into next 2 DC, DC2tog) 3 times, sl st into first DC (9

Change colour to WHITE

5. (6CH, sl st into 2nd CH from hook, 1 DC into next 2 CH, 1 HTR into next CH, 1 TR into next CH, sl st into next DC or DC2tog) 9 times.

Fasten off and Voila!

**You can’t see it in the picture, but the daisy that sticks upright from the hat, just use a black pipe cleaner and glue gun it to the band of the hat and then glue the daisy on the top end. You might need two pipe cleaners twisted around each other to keep it upright and strong enough to support the daisy.

If you would like to share your Blogger Toy Story like I did, then you can find out more by clicking here.

What was your favourite toys from your childhood and why?

My most favourite toy was my Petite Post Office. It was so much fun for an organised little bossy boots like me. It had lots of little sections for money, stamps and paperwork, and even a little hatch where you could ‘serve’ your customers. My heart broke a little the day my brother held it to ransom during an argument and then threw it down the stairs, smashing it horribly. I’ve never quite forgiven him for it!

What are your children’s favourite toys?

My 2 year old son just loves anything Thomas and Friends…in particular the mini trains that have magnets to connect them. He has lots of toy cars and a garage with ramps that he likes to let them roll down. My 4 year old daughter is getting into Barbie and also loves the creativity of Lego. She gets so excited to make her own little worlds with it. She also really likes board games like snakes and ladders and ludo. We like to keep thing traditional in our house, too.

Which of your children’s toys do you really like?

If I’d had the chance to play with any of my kids toys when I was little, it would have to be their scooters. My daughter has a flickr one that is amazing and it’s a fun way to keep them outdoors getting exercise. I wish I’d had one as a child.

Are there any of your children’s toys that you don’t like?

Kinetic sand. I really don’t get it. Apart from burying toys in it and pretending to dig them out like archaeologists, I never know what else to do with the damn stuff. Plus it gets EVERYWHERE!

If you were a child now, what toy would you be asking for?

It would be Frozen stuff. I don’t think I’d ever get sick of it. Anything with sparkles or Elsa on it and I’d be hooked. I think I’d also really be just to My Little Pony toys too. And aqua beads or hama beads. They’re a lot of fun and you get to be creative without the mess!

So after having a great summer and enjoying a little of what I liked every now and again…and babysitting my weight etc, I’m now fully back on track. I’ve finally achieved that oh-so-elusive but attractive 2 stone award. I even got the Slimmer of the Week AND Slimmer of the Month award at the weigh-in a couple of weeks ago. I was genuinely shocked but chuffed.

I can see it my final goal now, I’m more than halfway there. It’s just ahead and my sweaty little hands are going to grab it very soon.

You know how I know? Because last Saturday, I sat in a certain well-known fried chicken restaurant and ate a takeaway sushi pack from a supermarket.

Oh, how times have changed.

And I didn’t even mind. Normally in the past I would have sat there, glowering at everyone while the juicy gravy covered chips were shovelled into thier mouths, wishing all the time that I could sink my teeth into a spicy chicken burger and feel that tingle of lemonade bubbles slide down my throat.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Not anymore.

I’m not a saint, of course. I’m having plenty of treats and I count my syns very carefully, allowing myself a little tipple at the weekend if I fancy it. And it’s working. I’ve also enjoyed cooking and eating a range of slimming world recipes over the last while, as well as making sure that my lunch and snacks in work are all healthy options. I really enjoy making myself and the kids the sw carbonara recipe (I add some mushrooms in) and we’ve also enjoyed the beef stuffed sweet roast potato recipe. another favourite is actually a Lorraine Pascale recipe of Honey and Mustard spatchcock chicken which is only about 6 syns for the entire chicken (no skin, of course!) and I’ve had that with beans, broccoli and boiled potatoes. And always a favourite is the slimming world Tikka Masala ready meal, which I have at the weekend when the G Man is ordering his typical chinese takeaway. I’m just trying really hard to make the right choices.

So far, so good. It’s less than 10 weeks until Christmas, so another pound a week would be slow but steady progress.

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I’m writing this to you on your second birthday. Yes, you’re two whole years old. I can’t believe how quickly you’ve gone from a little, squishy faced cherub to a long legged toddler, demanding toast and cereal and episodes of Blaze and the Monster Machines.

God, you’re obsessed with that programme. I’m dreaming about it, it’s on so often!

This morning, before I left for work, you broke the television. You didn’t smash it over on the floor or chuck it out the window, rock-star-style, but you pressed the on/off button so many times that the old set simply gave up the ghost, made a fizzing sound and popped loudly, scaring the bejesus out of us all. Then there was the unmistakable smell of burning plastic.

You’ve even learned how to use an iPad quicker than your Nana. (Athough that wouldn’t be hard.)

But I’m looking forward to how much more you’re going to learn. I hope you discover so much more about your potential and talents. I want you to understand yourself, know that you are your own man – that someday (hopefully not too soon) you will be someone’s husband and someone’s Dad.

That’s the day my heart might break a little but when it happens, it will mean that I’ve taught you how to be a kind-hearted, loving man with integrity and decency – and that someone else will see the way I do, just how amazing and special you are.

I know I probably have a good few more years of broken things in my future with you…for now its the TV, but it might be a broken window or even a broken arm when you’ve climbed one too many trees – but I’m going to see the joy in every moment and remind myself that you won’t be a soft, cuddly little boy for long and I should soak up every minute until you become a huffy, grunting teenager.

And when that day comes, and you get a part-time job….I will hand you the bill for the broken TV.

Like this:

I was nominated by the rather lovely Naomi from Not A Perfect Parent to give 20 facts about me. It’s been a while since I did one of these…they’re so much fun. Here goes…

I once met Robert Carlisle the actor in Heathrow airport. He signed an autograph somewhat brusquely and then buggered off with my pen. He was somewhat short. In height and in manner.

I have a tattoo on my ankle that I had done when I was 18. It’s completely daft and I wish I’d waited until I was older to decide if I’d really wanted one or not.

I used to be terrified of butterflies until a psychic told me the my were a special omen for me. Now I feel reassured and safe when I see one. (Which happens spookily at times when I really ask for one.)

I. Love. Sushi. Ohmigod. If it wasn’t so expensive I’d live on the stuff. It’s discouraged when pregnant so I had my brother bring me some takeaway sushi to the hospital after I’d given birth. Oh, how posh of me.

I donate blood as often as I can. I’ve a universal blood type so they like to see me coming. Get on the phone and book an appointment to donate, you’ll feel like a good human being.

One of my favourite lazy things to do is whack on a box set of something totally uncool like Dr Who or Lark Rise to Candleford and not talk to anyone (unusual for me, I know) it’s geeky but it’s mine.

I once pretended to be my husband and applied online on his behalf for Masterchef. The producers called him to an interview in London but he refused to go!

I love anything sparkly. I don’t care that I’m 34 and that’s it’s considered the domain of 8 year old girls. I’ll be dead someday. And yes, my headstone will have glitter on it.

I drive like a man…not sure that isn’t a sexist thing to say but I’m quite an aggressive driver. When I’m alone in the car I take the odd chance and definitely speed too much.

I love musicals. Why can’t a person randomly burst into song in the middle of a day’s work? I do it frequently as my workmates will testify. And anyone who doesn’t like musicals hasn’t got a soul.

I recite Cate Blanchett’s opening monologue along with her at the start of the Lord of the Rings. Word for word. Every time. If someone talks to me during it I will hold my hand up and keep going regardless.

My favourite part of the day is getting in my car and going home, knowing I’m going to see two little happy, sticky faces at the window and get a massive cuddle from my little ones and hearing about their adventures that day.

I really miss going on stage and doing shows. When the kids are bigger I can’t wait to get back to it. By God do I miss the backstage parties, too!

I will pretty much eat ANYTHING except I don’t like the taste of ginger, which was horrendous when I was pregnant and had nausea because it was the only thing that made me feel better. It was torturous having to eat and drink ginger flavoured things.

I cry at anything and everything, but hardly ever in front of people. Those who don’t know me well enough sometimes think I’m quite thick skinned, because I’m loud and a bit bossy (well, a lot bossy) but actually I’m a real softie.

I’ve written a children’s story book. It might never see the light of day, or the desk of a real publisher. But at least I’ve written it down!

I’m regarded in my family as being a terrible cook. I don’t know where this myth has come from, it’s just that everyone else thinks they are better at cooking, and quite frankly, I’d rather sit on my bum watching Strictly with a glass of wine while they slave at the coal face to make me a juicy fillet steak.

I played the double bass in a youth concert orchestra for nearly 10 years. I never practiced enough or took it seriously and it’s a big regret – because I was told constantly by my tutors that I had ability and promise. I doubt I could even remember to play a note now.

I categorically, completely and totally HATE smoking. Everything about it makes me want to vomit, and I make no secret of this – what’s to like? It drains your finances, makes you smell, people get aggressive when they can’t have one and it rules their lives. Oh, and not to mention the tiny fact that it KILLS THEM. Sorry for the mini-rant, just had to get that one in there!

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Amelia’s Mum

About Me

Hello, I'm Emma. I'm a Mum of two and I teach English and Art. I love all things crafts, crochet, literature, makeup, musical theatre, with some sushi and prosecco thrown in for good measure. I've also written a children's book which I'm hoping to get published - wish me luck!
This blog is a place I like to record, share, rant, laugh and cry a little at all of life's silly moments and some of the important ones, too. There are so many blogs to read and everyone's time is precious, so thanks a lot for dropping by - I really appreciate it :)